Pneumatic tire.



sare rarinvr einen.,

PERRY E. DOOLITTLE, 0F TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO DOOLITTLE RIM eo., LTD.

PNEUMATIC TIRE.

Specicationof Letters Patent. Application inea November 3, 190e.

Patented May 2, 191i Serial No. 341,848.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, linnzY E. DooLiirLn, of the city of Toronto, in the Province of Ontario, Canada, doctor invented certainv new and useful Improvements in Pneumatic Tires, of which the following is a speciication.

This invention relates to improvements on lthe rim shown and described in my prior application Serial No. 331,231, filed Augii'st? 20, 1906. ln `the .tire `shown in that applica tion the base of the .tirecover was suitably held in a divided annular metal vband rovided with means whereby it might be expanded, and held expanded or contracted and .held -on the elly; and iny object in the present invention is to ydevise strong, simple andquickly operated means for contracting and .expanding the band, and for holding` it on the rini. In niy present construction I aiin to have no loose parts and to so arrange that all movements of the parts in changing tires are limited by stops in either direction.

In carrying out my invention l connect to one .end of the .dividedl band a pivoted link. To the other end of the link is journaled an eccentric fouled on or secured to a stein extending radially through to the inside ofthe fellywhere lit is provided with a head adapted for engagement by a wrench. A cylindrical pin concentric with the stein engages a similar hole in the other end or the band. Thus by rotating the stein the eccentric niay be caused to operate the link to contract or expand the band. i

My invention further relates to means for circuniferentially adjusting the pivoted attachment between the link and the end of 'the band with which it is engaged, and to the means provided for holding the band from4 in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the outer surface of the-same parts. Fig. G is a longitudinal section showing a modification of the of medicine, have end ot' the band.4

nieans employed for circumferentially adjusting the link connectingthe ends ot' the band. Fig'. 'l' is Ya view in sideelevation showing the method ot' contracting the band to facilitate the engagement of the-tire cover therewith. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the under side of the band showing grooves for use in prying oli' the band.

n the drawings like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures. i

A is a wooden folly, to which is connected a metal riin B, preferably groovcd or recessed circumferentially, as shown.

C is an annular band shaped in cross section, as shown in Figui, to receive the edges of a tire cover D of the well-known clenchcr pattern. Engaging;` the inner sides of the cover edges is a band' E, whose ends overlap and are held in position by the valve stem l".

which passes through holes in the ends there# ofl, This band serves to eifcctually hold down the edges of the cover, and provides a good seat for the inner side of the inner tube Gr. In order to hold this band in position a little away troni the surface of the band C it is preferably provided with studs ll', which are preferably of rubber or other resilient material to pcriuit o'l" ay slight accommodation in the tit oi the band. As this band is thus held up troni the band C it is an easy matter to place `the edges of the outer cover in position.

The band C has a transverse division therein cut on `a bevel, as shown, to enable one end of the band to be readily lapped over the other when the bund is constructed as hei-'cilinder described. tends Vfrom one end into the recess J formed in the other end, and serves to hold the endsI from lateral displacement.

l( is a link pivotally connected with one This pivot is preferably adjustable circuini'erentially of the band. ln Figs. 3 ard 5 l show one means oi ci'- lecting this adjustment. toothed disk li is tilted into asiinilarly shaped hole in thc band C. llcccntric to the toothed disk li is a'hole i'or a stud M, which stud is lscrewed into the hole, and on itis pivolcd the link K. 'lhe head of the stud is preferably cmlnler-sunk in the link, and is proildcd this has no material ill effect.

' for engagement by a suitable wrench.

with a slot for a screw driver, or other means whereby it may be screwed in or out. The disk L, it will he noticed, is shaped as the frustum of a cone, and hence is securely held in position when the stud carrying the link is screwed up tight. By loosening this stud and removing the disk, and rengaging-the disk with the band in a new position, a tine adjustment may be given the pivot of the link cireuxnferentially of the band. A certain amount of lateral adjustment accompanies this circumferential adjustment, but

ln Fig. (S'l show a modification ot the ad-A justing means. The disk L1 is shaped as a portion of a cylinder, and has an eccentric M2 formed thereon with which the link K is engaged. O1 is a strap secured tothe band C, and provided with a stud P1 passingr through a central hole in the disk L1. 1n this form the toothed disk L1 is adjusted by removing the strap O1, when it is easily removed and turned to thc required position in the band. The strap O1 with its stud curely holds it in position, and the strain on the link K is withstood both by the strap and bythe direct engagement ot the disk with the band. The other end of the link K shown in the other figures of the drawing, is journaled on the eccentric O. This eccolitric is tormedon the' stem P, which extends radially through the felly A, and is provided at its inner end with a head adapted (See Fig. f Concentric with the stem l is a cylindrical pin Q, which enters a hole formed in the other end of the bandC. On the. head of the pin is formed an eccentric flange R, which engages a lip S1 at the bot# tom of the recess S, counter-sunk in the bottom of the band. (See Figs. 3, 4, and At one side an opening T, of the same size as theeccentric fiange, is formed clear through c the band. Thus when' the eccentric Iiange is in alinement with vthis recess the pin Q may be withdrawn from the band, but when the stem P and pin Q are turned in any other position the eccentric ange R will lock the pin and stem to the band. Thus when'the parts are all in the position shown in Fig. in case a tire becomes deflated when running at a high rate of speed, thc end of the band camiot under any circumstances be thrown outwardly under the influence ot' centrifugal fforce, or any otherv force tending to strip it from the. telly.

Secured tothe under side of che band C adjacent to the eccentric is a; projecting stop piece U, shaped as shown'.

A finger V, projecting laterally somewhat, is formed on the end of the link K. 1When the eccentric is thrown to the position shown in Figjet, thus expanding the rim to the limit of the throw ot the eccentric, the linger V, engages the bottoiniA1 ofamnotch formed in the part U. This limits the throw ot the eccentric when it is on, or only slightly past the center, when the eccentric l1as-been turned to expand the band. The

, finger.' also engages the end B1 of the same" 70 notch. The link thus abutting on the stop piece U enables thel link to hold the band expanded after it has been withdrawn from engagement with .the eccentric, as hereinv after described. A second notch is-formed in the metal stop piece U, and with the bottom C1 of this notch the finger V engages when the link has been moved to the limit ot the throw of the eccentric in the other direction (see Fig. 5). Thus it will bescenthat an operator has to exercise no judgment or thought in operatingtheeccentric asit is merely necessary for him to turn the stem lj to the limit of its possible motion in either direction to either expand or contract the band C to its possible limits.

The operation of the device' is substantially as follows ;In placing a tire in position on the band C it ispreterably considerably contracted, as shown in Fig.' 7. A turnbuckle D1 may beemployed for this purpose secured at each end to the rim by rthumb screws E1, or in any other suitable manner. When the band C is thus contract ed it is a very simple matter to place the 9-5 cover, the band E and the inner tube in position, when the band may be allowed to assume its original position with the beveled ends in alinement with one another. 'The rim may easilybe. expanded somewhatfand the link K' engaged with the stop piece U, as shown 'in Fig. 4l. The band in this position is slightly larger in circumference than the rim B of the telly, and the band canv i then easily be placed in position on the felly The operator will first make sure that the eccentric O .is in the proper position to enter the hole therefor in the link. The openings 1 in the band for thc pin Q and the iange R are alsov then in proper position for thev pi Q andthe flange R to pass through them. The stem P is preferably .adjacent to the valve stem F, as shown, so that when the valve stern has been pushed through the hole in the felly, and the band and link engaged with the pin and eccentric, as described, no di'liiculty is experienced in pressing the diametrically opposite cdgeof the band in position on the telly. When the bandis in polsition the stem isrevolved a halt` revolution until it engagesthe stop piece, as shown in, Fig. 5, when the band 4will be found to be contracted closely on the rim. The inner tube may-'now bejpated, er', if desired, it may have' been in'iated before the .band is 125 placed in position on the telly. If it be desired to remove the tirefrom the felly it is merely-necessary. to'throw the stem P back to theposition shown in Fig. 4, when the bandvmay beaslipped vfrom thel rim, the link is cut in the under side of j enter the 25 obstacle to the band being 30 Gand indeed 45 rim if rusted in 50 side the rim of the latter,

55 eluded from the inner grooves.

engaging the metal stop piece Uholding the band expanded during and after removal. It is necessary, however, to provide.

against lateral displacement of the band and I therefore journal transversely of the felly one or more bolts F?. At one or both ends of each bolt I provide an'c'ccentric flange G1. By turning the bolt this flange, or flanges, may be brought into engagement circumferentially with grooves or recesses Hl formed on the under side ,of the ba'nd C. A secure lock is thus provided.

As solne diiiiculty might be experienced in bringing the recesses and flanges into proper alineinent I provide at one end of the bolt a pin I1 diametrically opposite the middle of the eccentric flange G1. A lateral groove Jl the band leading into that groove H1 Which is at the inner side of the felly of the wheel when the Wheel is When the pin l is in position on a car. turned outermost .it Will be in-a position to roovc J1 as' the band C is pushed on to the elly, and it Will-therefore offer no placed in position until the side of the recess H1 engages it, This is' a signthat the band C has been vpushed on to the felly sufliciently far to bring the recesses H1- in alinement with the ianges provides an effective stop insu-ri-ng the band being in the correct position on the fell-y.. The bolts may new be A turned andthe ianges `engaged with the recesses, as :already described. The opposite end of each bolt t0 that carrying the pin I1 40 tric flange (t1 in the outermost position, thus relieving the operator of the necessity of usingjudgment or consideration in turning the bolts Ato their proper positions.

To aidin prying the band C from the place during long use, I form, Wherever necessary, a plurality of circumferential grooves N1 in the under side ofthe band .0. The outer grooves N1, when th band is in place on the felly, will be outand the inner grooves' will be entirely covered by the rim, the dotted lines in Fig. 8 showing thel osition ofy the edges of the rim of the telly. Thus moisture and dirt are effectively ex- These grooves vmay ,be used one after the other as points of engagement for a tool to gradually pry off the rnn.

The advantagesof' the fundamental con- 130l struction of my tire are now Well recognized.

It will be seen, however, from the construction described that I have devised exceedwith the greatest vclosely* on the felly,

Afitting closely lends itself to these operations being performed in theshortest possible possible certainty.

What I claim as my'invention is:

i. .ln a Wheelrirn the combination of a felly having a substantially flush faced outer periphery, an annular rim having a subst-an tially flush faced inner periphery and fitting an annular band fitting over the'aforesaidrim,. the said band being divided transversely and adapted for engagement by a tire cover; a link pivoted at one end to one end of the band; anda pin journaled at the other end of the band; an eccentric on the pin on which `the other end of the link is j`ournaled,.thesaid eccentric having a throwv suiiici'ent to slightly'expand the band and adapted to ho'ld'it expanded against tire pressure, substantiallyl as described.- j

2. In a Wheel rim the combination of a felly having a, substantially flush fac'ed outer periphery, an annular rim having a .substantially iush faced inner periphery and on the felly, an annular band fitting over the aforesaid rim,`the said band being divided transversely and adapted `for engagement by a tire cover; a link pivoted time and at one end to one'end of the band; a pin journaled at the other end of the band; an

eccentric onthe pin on which the other end ofthe link is journaled, the 'said eccentric having a throw sufficient to slightly expand the band and adapted to hold it expanded against tire pressure, and a stem having an .operative connection with the eccentric extending radially through the felly, substantially as described. 1

3. In a Wheel rim the combination of a felly having a substantially iush faced outer periphery', an annular rim having a substantially` llash faced inner periphery and fitting closely to the felly, an annular band fitting over the aforesaid rim, the said band being divided transversely and adapted for engagement' by a tire cover; a link pivoted at one end to one end of the band; a stem journaled radially therein; a concentric cylindrical projection thereon, the other end of the band having a hole formed therein to engage the projection; and an eccentric on the stern on which the other end of the link is journaled; the said eccentric having a throw suiiicient to slightly expand the band and adapted to hold it expanded a ainst tire pressure, substantially as described? I' In a Wheel rim the combination of an annular band divided transversely, and adapted ,for engagement by a tire cover; a link pivoted at one end to one end of the band; a felly; a stem journaled radially therein; a concentric cylindrical projection thereon, the other end of the b and having a hole formed therein to engage the'projection; an eccentric on the stem on which-the disk rotarily adjustable on one end of the band; an eccentric pivot thereon; a link pivoted at one end on said pivot; a pin journaled in the other end of the band; and an eccentric on the pin on which the other end of the link is journaled, substantially as described.

6. In a Wheel rim the combination of an annular band divided transversely, and adapted for engagement by a tire cover; a link pivoted at one end to one end of the band; a pin journaled at the other end of the band; an eccentric on the pin on which the other end of the link is journaled; and-stops adaptedto limit the movement of the eccentric at the limit of its throw in either direction circumferentially of the-tire, substantially as described.

7. In a Wheel rim the combination of an annular band divided transversely, and adapted for engagement by a tire cover; a link pivoted at one end to one end of the band; a stem; 'a concentric cylindrical projection thereon, the other end of the band having a hole formed therein to engage the projection; an eccentric'on the stem on which the other end of the link is journaled;stops adapted to limit the movement of the ec! centric at the limit of its throw in either direction circumferentially of the tire; and a stop on the band adjacent to the eccentric with which the link is adapted to engage to resist contraction of the band when the latter is expanded and disengaged from the eccentric, substantially as described.

8. In a Wheel rim the combination of an annular band divided transversely, and adapted for engagementby a tire cover; a linkpivoted at one end to one end of the band; a stem; a concentric cylindrical projection thereon, the other `end of the band having a hole formed therein to engage the projection; an eccentric on the stem on which the other end of the link is j ournaled; and stops adapted to limitthe movement of the eccentric at the limit of its throw in either direction circumferentially ofthe tire, substantially as described.

9. In a Wheel rim the combination of a i felly; a band ,shaped for engagement by a resilient tire andradapted to be slipped laterally upon the felly; a boltjournaled transversely in the felly and having an `eccentric flange at one end, the band having a circumferential groove formed therein yinto engagement with which the said flange may be turned; a pin on the bolt; and stops on the telly, the said pin engaging one of. the stops when the rst mentioned pin is inline with the transverse groove, and the other when the flange is in engagement With'the circumferential groove, substantially as described.

10. In a Wheel rim the combination of an annular metal band or rim; a tire cover having edges with which the rim is adapted to engage to hold the cover in place; an inner metal band Within the cover engaging the edges thereof; and studs on the inner band holding it away from the rim, substantially as described. Y y" Toronto, Ont., 17th October, 1906.

PERRY E. DOOLITTLE. Signed in the presence of- EDGAR W. SHEPPARD, F. MCKENDRICK. 

